Self resetting target



Nov. 19, 1968 J. R. LAWRENCE SELF RESETTING TARGET Filed June 22, 1966 INVENTOR. Ta/Mms Raimi/'Lawrence %/aa0 3( ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,411,784 SELF RESETTING TARGET James Robert Lawrence, R.D. 2, Box 30, near Loudonville, Ohio 44842 Filed June 22, 1966, Ser. No. 559,555 10 Claims. (Cl. 273-102) The invention relates to target devices and more particularly to a movable target device especially adapted for use at shooting galleries, rifle ranges and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved rotatable target device comprising a plurality of individually movable targets, each adapted to be thrown out of its normal position by the impact of a bullet or the like, with means operated by impact of a bullet or the like for automatically resetting all of the individual targets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a movable target device including a plurality of individually movable targets each adapted to be thrown out of its normal position by the impact of a projectile, and a master target adapted to be thrown into contact with, and automatically reset, the individual targets by impact of a projectile upon the master target.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target device of the character referred to comprising a row of spaced tar-gets individually pivotally mounted, each of said targets comprising a depending bar with a metal plate or disc at its lower end, a stop rod located above the pivot points of said individual targets for holding the targets in position after they have been struck and moved upwardly by projectiles, and a master target centrally pivotally mounted above the individual targets and having means thereon for striking all of the individual targets to reset them, when the master target is struck by a projectile.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a target device in which each of the individual targets and the master target is loosely pivoted so that it may turn or oscillate upon an upright axis in either direction, as well as to rotate about its pivot point.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a tar-get device of this character in which the master target comprises a metal plate or disc upon the end of a pivotally mounted bar, there being a transversely disposed cross bar connected to said bar for contact with the individual targets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a target device of this character in which the stop rod is loosely mounted in the supporting frame for the target device and is bowed from each end toward the center thereof.

The above and other objects which will be apparent from the drawing and following description, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved target device in the manner hereinafter described in `detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In general terms the target device may comprise two spaced upright side frames, anchored at their lower ends in any suitable manner. A pivot rod is supported at opposite ends, in the side frames, and has pivotally mounted thereon a plurality of spaced individual targets, each of which comprises a metal bar pivotally connected near one 3,411,784 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 Fice end upon the pivot rod and having a metal plate or disc iixed to its other end. These individual targets are normally suspended from the pivot rod with the target plates or discs thereon at the lower ends of the bars.

Each of the individual targets has a pivot aperture of larger diameter than the pivot rod, and spacing sleeves of less length than the distance between individual targets, are located on the pivot rod between the individual targets so that each individual target may have rotary movement around the pivot rod and may also turn or oscillate, on an upright axis, upon the pivot rod.

Located near the upper ends of the supporting frame members is a second pivot rod, upon the center of which is pivotally mounted a master target comprising a metal bar pivoted at its upper end upon the central portion of said pivot rod and having a metal target plate or disc at its lower end.

At a point intermediate the ends of the bar of the master target is fixed a crossbar. Between the upper pivot rod and said crossbar is located a stop rod, opposite ends of which are connected to the side frame members. This stop rod is preferably bowed from each end toward the center, and the end portions thereof are loosely mounted within apertures in the side frames, so that the stop rod may turn slightly upon its axis.

In operating the target device the individual targets are each struck by projectiles so as to swing them around the pivot rod upon which they are mounted, whereby the target plates or discs will rest upon the stop rod. After all of the individual targets have been struck by projectiles and moved into positions resting upon the stop rod, when the target plate or disc of the master target is properly struck by a projectile the crossbar thereon will contact all of the individual targets throwing them down to normal position, resetting thedevice for further target practice.

The master target is loosely pivoted upon the upper pivot rod in the same manner as described regarding the individual targets so that it may rotate upon its pivot rod and may turn or oscillate on an upright axis in each direction, making it necessary that the target plate or disc thereof be struck centrally by a projectile in order that the crossbar of the master target will strike and reset all of the individual targets.

In the accompanying drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a target device embodying the invention showing all of the targets in the normal position;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the plurality of individual targets each moved out of normal position as by impact with a projectile, so that the target plates or discs thereof are located upward and rest upon the stop rod, in position to be reset by proper impact of a projectile with the target plate or disc of the master target; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 3 3, FIG. l showing an individual target in broken lines located in the raised position resting upon the stop rod.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the improved target device is mounted upon a suitable support which may comprise the vertical side members 1-1, preferably in the form of wooden boards or planks, with means such as the transversely disposed base members 2 2 connected to the lower end portions thereof as by screws 3 or the like.

A horizontally disposed pivot rod 4 has opposite ends connected to the side frame members 1 and has a plurality of targets individually pivotally mounted thereon, in suitably spaced relation. Each of the individual targets comprises a metal bar 5 pivotally mounted at its upper end upon the pivot rod 4, a metal plate or disc 6 being fixed to the lower end of each bar 5.

In order that each of the individual targets may rotate around the pivot rod 4, as well as turn or oscillate on an upright axis, the pivot opening 7 in each bar 5 is of larger diameter than the pivot rod 4, as best shown in FIG. 3. Spacing sleeves 8 are located upon the pivot rod 4 between adjacent individual targets and between the endmost individual targets and the adjacent side members 1, these spacing sleeves being somewhat shorter than the distance between targets or between the endmost targets and the frame members 1, as best shown in FIGS. l and 2.

Located near the upper ends of the frame members 1, and in a plane located forwardly of the pivot rod 4, is the pivot rod 9 upon which the master target is pivoted. Opposite ends of the rod 9 are located through the frame members 1 1.

The master target includes the metal bar 10, the upper end portion of which is pivotally mounted centrally upon the pivot rod 9, and the metal target plate or disc 11 welded or otherwise connected at its central portion to the bar 10 of the master target, at a point between the target plate or disc 11 and the pivot rod 9.

In order that the master target may rotate around the pivot rod 9 and oscillate or turn upon an upright axis, the bar 10 thereof has a pivot opening of larger diameter than the pivot rod 9, in the same manner as described with reference to the individual targets.

Spacing sleeves 13 are located between each side of the bar 10 of the master target and the adjacent side frame member 1, these sleeves as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 being somewhat shorter than the distance between the bar 10 and either side member 1.

Located below the pivot rod 9 and preferably above the -crossbar 12 is a stop bar 14, the ends of which may be rotatably mounted in apertures 15 in the side frame members 1. Also, 4as shown in the drawing, the stop bar 14 may be bowed from each end toward the center.

In the use of the improved target device in a shooting gallery or on a rie range or the like, with the individual targets 5-6 in the normal position as shown in FIG. 1, the idea is for a person to strike each of the individual target plates or discs 6 with a projectile, to throw them up into the position shown in FIG. 2, and in broken lines in FIG. 3, with the discs 6 resting upon the stop rod 14.

Where a loosely mounted stop rod is used as illustrated in the drawing, it will be seen that the Weight of the individual targets 5,-6 resting thereon will shift the stop rod 14 from the full line position to the broken line position of FIG. 3.

Because of the loose pivotal mountings of the individual target bars 5 upon the pivot rod 4, it is necessary that a projectile strike the disc 6 of each individual target substantially in the center in order to throw the target up to the position shown in FIG. 2.

A bullet striking one of the discs 6 near either side edge thereof will not cause the target to move up to the position of FIG. 2, but because of the loose pivotal mounting the target will only turn or oscillate on an upright axis and come back to the normal position of FIG. l.

After all of the individual targets 5-6 have been moved to the position of FIG. 2, then in order to reset them it is necessary that a projectile properly strike the target or disc 11 of the master target causing the same to swing backward upon its pivot rod 9, the crossbar 12 thereof pushing al1 of the individual targets 5-6 backwards so that they rotate upon their pivot rod 4 and swing down to the normal position shown in FIG. 1.

With this master target it will also be seen that it is necessary that the target plate of disc be struck substantially in the center because of the loose pivotal mounting thereof upon the pivot rod 9. For the same reason as described regarding the individual targets 56, if a projectile strikes the disc 11 of the master target at a point spaced to the right or left of the center thereof, it will be seen that the same will turn or oscillate upon a substantially vertical axis so that only one end of the crossbar 12 will contact the rods 5 of the individual targets on that side, the other end of the crossbar swinging away from the bars 5 of the individual targets on the other side, so that only a portion of the individual targets will be moved back to normal position.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because `such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A target device comprising a plurality of spaced individual targets pivoted upon a common horizontal axis and normally suspended therefrom, said targets being adapted to be operated by the impact of projectiles so as to be thereby moved upward out of their normal positions, means for supporting said targets in said upward position, and a master target movably mounted relative to the individual targets and means responsive to movement of said master target for striking the individual targets in said upward position and moving them from said support means to thereby fall to the normal position.

2. A target device as defined in claim 1. in which each individual target comprises a bar pivoted at one end upon said common horizontal axis and a target plate fixed to the other end of said bar.

3. A target device as defined in claim 2, in which the master target comprises a bar pivoted at one end, a target plate fixed to the other end of said bar and wherein said striking means comprises a crossbar for Contact with the individual targets.

4. A target device as defined in claim 3, in which the means for supporting the individual targets in the upward position is an axially rotatable bowed stop bar.

5. A target device as defined in claim 2, including a spaced pair of side frame members, said individual targets being pivoted upon a horizontal pivot rod opposite ends of which are supported by said side frame members.

6. A target device as defined in claim 5, in which the individual targets are loosely pivoted upon said pivot rod so that they may turn upon an upright axis.

7. A target device as defined in claim 5, in which the master target comprises a bar pivoted at one end upon a second horizontal pivot rod, opposite ends of which are supported by said side frame members, a target plate fixed to the other end of said bar, and said striking means, said striking means comprising a crossbar for contact with the individual targets.

8. A target device as defined in claim 7, in whichthe individual targets are loosely pivoted upon the first named pivot rod so that they may turn upon an upright axis, and the master target is loosely pivoted upon said second 5 named pivot rod so that it may turn upon an upright axis.

9. A target device as defined in claim 5, in which the means for supporting the individual targets in the upward position is a bowed stop bar, opposite ends of which are rotatably mounted in said side frame members.

10. A target device as defined in claim 8, in which the master target is located centrally relative to the individual targets, and in which the means for supporting the individual targets in the upward position is a bowed stop bar, opposite ends of which are rotatably mounted in said side frame members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Harper 273-102 Harper 273-102 Briggs 273-102 Groff 273-127 X Groff 273-41 Burke 273-101 X 10 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examinez'. 

1. A TARGET DEVICE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED INDIVIDUAL TARGETS PIVOTED UPON A COMMON HORIZONTAL AXIS AND NORMALLY SUSPENDED THEREFROM, SAID TARGETS BEING ADAPTED TO BE OPERATED BY THE IMPACT OF PROJECTILES SO AS TO BE THEREBY MOVED UPWARD OUT OF THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID TARGETS IN SAID UPWARD POSITIONS, AND A MASTER TARGET MOVABLY MOUNTED RELATIVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL TARGETS AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID MASTER TARGET FOR STRIKING THE INDIVIDUAL TARGETS IN SAID UPWARD POSITION AND MOVING THEM FROM SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO THEREBY FALL TO THE NORMAL POSITION. 